Conditions and Grading

I VISUALLY GRADE VERY CONSERVATIVELY, SO YOU WILL PROBABLY BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED!
ITEMS ARE GRADED COVER/MEDIA
"Goldmine Standard" grading:
NEW or SS Still Factory Sealed
Never opened. Record and inserts flawless. Cover may have minor shop-wear from handling over the years.

EX looks close to mint with no visible imperfections.
OUR HIGHEST GRADING FOR USED LP's OR NON-SEALED 45's IS EX
VG+ Very Good Plus
Vinyl: May have scuff marks and signs of some wear but
will still play almost perfectly throughout, with only
"barely detectable" crackles or pops. A slight noise at the
beginning is allowable, but the remainder must be nearly flawless.
Cover: May only have the slightest signs of normal wear.

VG Very Good
The majority of records (worth selling) fall under this grade.
Vinyl: May crackle, pop or make other annoying noises, but only
occasionally,never continuously, and not more loudly than the
music being listened to.
Cover: Normal used cover wear such as ring wear and split seams.
If there is abnormal damage such as tears or markings,
but the seller still feels that it qualifies as a "VG",
the damage must be described in comments attached to the item.

G+ Good Plus
Vinyl: May have continuous crackles, pops, etc... but not so loud as to
make the music completely unenjoyable to the
casual listener.
Cover: More than normal wear and tear.

G = good (means BAD!) basically, to fill a gap in your collection, but will be pretty beat up and
sound scratchy, should play through to the end.
Cover: Significantly more than normal wear and tear.
Final Sale, no returns.

P = poor (don't buy it unless you are desperate) Final Sale, no returns

Goldmine Grading Standard:

Mint [M]: Absolutely perfect in every way - certainly never played, possibly even still sealed. (More on still sealed below). Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.
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Near Mint [NM or M-]: A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record shows no obvious sign of wear. A 45 rpm sleeve has no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling. An LP jacket has no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same is true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, and the like. Basically, Near Mint looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.
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Very Good Plus [VG+]: Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but is should be barely noticeable. The center hole is not misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turn-up corners, or a slight seam-split. An LP jacket my have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.
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Very Good [VG]: Many of the defects found in a VG+ record are more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise is evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during the song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as will light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.
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Good [G], Good Plus [G+]: Good does not mean bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear. A jacket or sleeve has seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. If it's a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Poor [P], Fair [F]: The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and/or writing. The LP jacket barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, and written upon. Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each.

Conditions and Grading

I VISUALLY GRADE VERY CONSERVATIVELY, SO YOU WILL PROBABLY BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED!
ITEMS ARE GRADED COVER/MEDIA
"Goldmine Standard" grading:
NEW or SS Still Factory Sealed
Never opened. Record and inserts flawless. Cover may have minor shop-wear from handling over the years.

EX looks close to mint with no visible imperfections.
OUR HIGHEST GRADING FOR USED LP's OR NON-SEALED 45's IS EX
VG+ Very Good Plus
Vinyl: May have scuff marks and signs of some wear but
will still play almost perfectly throughout, with only
"barely detectable" crackles or pops. A slight noise at the
beginning is allowable, but the remainder must be nearly flawless.
Cover: May only have the slightest signs of normal wear.

VG Very Good
The majority of records (worth selling) fall under this grade.
Vinyl: May crackle, pop or make other annoying noises, but only
occasionally,never continuously, and not more loudly than the
music being listened to.
Cover: Normal used cover wear such as ring wear and split seams.
If there is abnormal damage such as tears or markings,
but the seller still feels that it qualifies as a "VG",
the damage must be described in comments attached to the item.

G+ Good Plus
Vinyl: May have continuous crackles, pops, etc... but not so loud as to
make the music completely unenjoyable to the
casual listener.
Cover: More than normal wear and tear.

G = good (means BAD!) basically, to fill a gap in your collection, but will be pretty beat up and
sound scratchy, should play through to the end.
Cover: Significantly more than normal wear and tear.
Final Sale, no returns.

P = poor (don't buy it unless you are desperate) Final Sale, no returns

Goldmine Grading Standard:

Mint [M]: Absolutely perfect in every way - certainly never played, possibly even still sealed. (More on still sealed below). Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.
------------------------------------------------------------
Near Mint [NM or M-]: A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record shows no obvious sign of wear. A 45 rpm sleeve has no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling. An LP jacket has no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same is true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, and the like. Basically, Near Mint looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.
------------------------------------------------------------
Very Good Plus [VG+]: Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but is should be barely noticeable. The center hole is not misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turn-up corners, or a slight seam-split. An LP jacket my have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.
------------------------------------------------------------
Very Good [VG]: Many of the defects found in a VG+ record are more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise is evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during the song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as will light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.
------------------------------------------------------------
Good [G], Good Plus [G+]: Good does not mean bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear. A jacket or sleeve has seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. If it's a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Poor [P], Fair [F]: The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and/or writing. The LP jacket barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, and written upon. Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each.

Payment Methods Accepted

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, Cash (usd)

Shipping Methods and Costs

USA $5.00 Media Mail with Delivery Confirmation RECOMMENDED-ANY SIZE ORDER!
USA $7.00 Media Mail with Insurance any size order
USA $3.00 for 1 45 (7" single) 1st Class Mail with delivery confirmation, $.50 for each additional 45
USA $5.00 for 1 45 (7"single) 1st Class with Insurance $.50 for each additional 45
USA only $8 Priority Mail with delivery confirmation for up to 15 45's (7") or 4 CD's.
USA only $10 Priority Mail with delivery confirmation and Insurance for up to 15 45's (7")
USA $8 Priority Mail for 1 LP OR CD with delivery confirmation, $5 for each additional LP or gatefold cover.
USA $10 Priority Mail with delivery confirmation and insurance for 1 LP, $5 extra for each additional LP OR CD or gatefold cover, $1.50 extra per $50 insurance. USA only

CANADA $12.50 1st Class International 1 LP, $5.00 extra for each additional LP
CANADA $9.00 1st Class International 1 45, $2.00 for each additional 45s
REST OF WORLD $11.00 Air Mail for 1 45(7"). $5.00 extra for each additional 45 or gatefold cover
REST OF WORLD $29.95 Flat Rate International Priority Mail for up to 15 45's
REST OF WORLD $20 1st Class Intl for 1 LP. $6 extra for each additional LP or gatefold cover
CD'S $4 USA 1ST CLASS
CD'S $11 INTERNATIONAL
Free pickup at our store in Chicago
Option for special individual calculation on large quantity orders.

Return Policy

Your satisfaction is guaranteed, and refunds are given, but shipping charges both ways are not refundable. We will normally ask that items be returned for examination. Lost or damaged items at buyer's risk if insurance not purchased.

Seller Information

Credit card payment shipping addresses must match billing addresses. Sorry, no checks or money orders accepted.
If this is a Non-USA transaction, you will be responsible for all Customs fees and duties in your country. Please do not ask us to falsify Customs documents, as we will not do so.
If you would like a CDR copy of your purchase, we can provide one for an additional $5 for a 45, or $20 for an LP. Just let us know right away before your item is shipped!